King Abdulaziz University adopts a change from “community medicine” to “preventive medicine and public health”

Approved King Abdulaziz University The name of the "Community Medicine" department has been changed to the "Preventive Medicine and Public Health" department at the College of Medicine, as part of a move to strengthen the role of prevention and public health in its educational, research, and service system, in order to keep pace with global transformations in health systems and achieve the objectives Kingdom Vision 2030 Transformation program Health sector.
The shift comes in the context of the global health models moving from focusing on treating diseases in individuals to more comprehensive models based on “managing population health” and promoting early prevention to raise quality of life, reflecting scientific progress in analyzing health data, promoting evidence-based prevention, and addressing the social and environmental determinants of health through multi-sectoral action.

New system

The new system is based on developing an integrated framework that combines medical education, scientific research, and community partnerships to solidify the university's role as a leading center and driver of innovation in public health. This approach will prepare specialized healthcare professionals capable of leading the health transformation nationally and regionally.
The university has identified several strategic pillars for this transformation, including a comprehensive shift from fragmented preventative initiatives to an integrated system that enhances the efficiency of the healthcare system and the impact of interventions. It also emphasizes managing community health as a whole, rather than solely focusing on the individual, while supporting health planning and decision-making based on accurate health data and evidence.

Multiple partnerships

The transformation includes strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships to address the factors affecting community health, based on the principle of “health in all policies.” Through adopting the “four goals” framework, the university aims to measure health impact by improving community health, patient experience, and provider experience, while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs.
This transformation represents a strategic step towards supporting national health policies and developing innovative preventative solutions, ensuring the promotion of Saudi community health and aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.